tristanrobin

Now, there is no question, I think this hypocritical "reverend" is a creep of the first degree. However, I do think that this arrest, given that there was NO offer of money (my bold below), it seems that they're really arresting somebody for basically hitting on somebody.
Although I can't stand the defendant, I think he was NOT treated fairly here.

Gay marriage critic tried on lewdness
By JEFF LATZKE, Associated Press Writer Thu Feb 22, 9:43 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY - The lawyer for a former Baptist church leader who had spoken out against homosexuality said Thursday the minister has a constitutional right to solicit sex from an undercover policeman.

The Rev. Lonnie W. Latham had supported a resolution calling on gays and lesbians to reject their "sinful, destructive lifestyle" before his Jan. 3, 2006, arrest outside the Habana Inn in Oklahoma City.

Authorities say he asked the undercover policeman to come up to his hotel for oral sex.

His attorney, Mack Martin, filed a motion to have the misdemeanor lewdness charge thrown out, saying the Supreme Court ruled in the 2003 decision Lawrence v. Texas that it was not illegal for consenting adults to engage in private homosexual acts.

"Now, my client's being prosecuted basically for having offered to engage in such an act, which basically makes it a crime to ask someone to do something that's legal," Martin said.

Both sides agree there was no offer of money, but prosecutor Scott Rowland said there is a "legitimate governmental interest" in regulating offers of acts of lewdness.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has filed a brief claiming that Latham's arrest also violated his right to free speech.

Before his arrest, Latham had spoken against same-sex marriage and in support of a Southern Baptist resolution that called upon gays and lesbians to reject their lifestyle.

He has since resigned as pastor of the South Tulsa Baptist Church and stepped down from the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, where he was one of four members from Oklahoma.

On Thursday Latham declined to talk to reporters at the non-jury trial.

Judge Roma M. McElwee said she would rule on the motion and issue a verdict in about two weeks. If convicted of the misdemeanor, Latham faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070223/...pastor_charged

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Antithesis

Lewdness? First off, the only lewdness that is illegal is public lewdness. This was not public. It was done in a hotel room.

Still, this kind of reminds me of the Ted Haggart and Mark Foley affairs, and the irony that went along with them.

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tristanrobin

oh, the irony goes without saying. The guy's a pig.

But, I just don't think that hitting on somebody should be ILLEGAL - geesh - college campus bars are going to be a hot bed (no pun intended) of police raids!

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winston53660

I guess one needs a signed disclosure form before making a pass. LOL

foundit66

I wonder if he has ever spoken in favor of making sodomy illegal...

And the policeman was "undercover"...
I guess for prostitution.

"After posting bond, Latham told KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City that he was set up, and was in the area ministering to people."
Washington Blade Online

"Right! That's what I was doing on my knees. Praying!"

My guess is that the police officer was premature in going in for the arrest.
Either the D.A. is really pissed off at Latham, or the D.A. is really pissed off at gays, or the D.A. is just trying to get some press to let people know he is attacking the prostitution problem in the area.

No way in hell this should ever go to trial.
Latham should get off with the he has already suffered.


I'm just curious what the D.A. would think should have been the legal way to do it.
"Hello. Care to come back up to my room so I can make a lewd request?"

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Jaxian

I agree that he should not be prosecuted for this. Lewdness never hurt anybody, you know.

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garysher

[quote=tristanrobin;77503]
Gay marriage critic tried on lewdness
By JEFF LATZKE, Associated Press Writer Thu Feb 22, 9:43 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY - The lawyer for a former Baptist church leader who had spoken out against homosexuality said Thursday the minister has a constitutional right to solicit sex from an undercover policeman.

The Rev. Lonnie W. Latham had supported a resolution calling on gays and lesbians to reject their "sinful, destructive lifestyle" before his Jan. 3, 2006, arrest outside the Habana Inn in Oklahoma City.

Authorities say he asked the undercover policeman to come up to his hotel for oral sex.



Always sad to see another good person smitten by the grave affliction of homosexuality

Antithesis

[quote=garysher;81057] Post #666!!!


Kind of disproves your theory that people choose homosexuality, huh, Garysher? Any way otherwise and a guy this ardently homophobic would no doubt choose not to do it himself.

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Brutalis08

Did I miss read the Original Post or did it say that he salicited a Prostitute which is Illegal in just about every state except Navada. He should be prosecuted.

tristanrobin

He didn't solicit a prostitute.

He asked a guy to his room for oral sex - LOL - he just made the mistake of trying to hit on a cop. LOL

There was no mention of money whatsoever.

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